Shirley M. Christopherson

Shirley Marie (Salsbury) Christopherson, age 84, of the Town of Wilson, rural Ridgeland, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at her home after a hard fought battle with cancer. She was born March 9, 1936, to Earl and Mabel (Pederson) Salsbury in Barron. She was baptized and confirmed at Evangelical United Brethren Church near Prairie Farm. Shirley attended Pleasant Creek School and graduated from Prairie Farm High School in 1954. She then worked in Minneapolis, MN, at Northwestern Bell Telephone. On September 20, 1958, she married Harlan Christopherson in the town of Prairie Farm. They lived in Minneapolis until he was drafted into the Army in January of 1959. They were stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, until Harlan received orders to Korea. While Harlan was away, she returned to her family farm near Prairie Farm and worked in the office at Jerome’s Hatchery. After Harlan returned from service, they lived in Rice Lake and Shirley continued working at the hatchery. In September of 1962, they moved to the family farm east of Ridgeland and took over the operation in January of 1963. Shirley was a homemaker and a hard working dairy farm wife until December of 1998, but continued to help Harlan crop farm and raise beef. Shirley was an active member of New Hope-Pine Creek Lutheran Church where she was the “temporary” organist for 37 years and enjoyed singing in the church choir. She was also a member of the Women of the ELCA and Friendship Circle and served several terms on the church council. Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She loved to bake. Family always looked forward to her delicious pies, cinnamon rolls, desserts, and lefse. She always had cake and cookies in the cupboard for anyone who might stop to have coffee.

Shirley and Family

Surviving are daughters: Susan Christopherson of Ridgeland and Linda (Joseph) Bilodeau of Chetek, brother: Robert (Julie) Salsbury of Ridgeland, sisters: Ruby (Ray) Nykanen of Clayton, Janice Salsbury of Prairie Farm and Judy Becker of Turtle Lake, a sister-in-law: Connie Salsbury of Prairie Farm, brothers-in-law: Donald Christopherson of New Richmond and Stanley (Norma) Bergum of Rice Lake, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband: Harlan on June 19, 2010, her parents, brothers: Allen Salsbury and Jerry Salsbury, her father and mother-in-law: Peter and Nora Christopherson and a sister-in-law: Donna Bergum and nephew: Darwin Nykanen.

Funeral Services

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 19 at New Hope Lutheran-Pine Creek Church in the Town of Wilson, rural Ridgeland, with Rev. Michael Sparby officiating and interment following in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held for the hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Arrangements are with Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Homes, Dallas & Cameron.

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